Tesla awards CEO Musk millions of shares valued at about $29 billion

Tesla is awarding CEO Elon Musk 96 million shares of restricted stock valued at approximately $29 billion, just six months after a judge ordered the company to revoke his massive pay package. The electric vehicle maker said in a regulatory filing on Monday that Musk must first pay Tesla $23.34 per share of restricted stock that vests, which is equal to the exercise price per share of the 2018 pay package that was awarded to the company’s CEO. In December Delaware Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick reaffirmed her earlier ruling that Tesla must revoke Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. She found that Musk engineered the landmark pay package in sham negotiations with directors who were not independent.

Google loses appeal in antitrust battle with Fortnite maker

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld a jury verdict condemning Google’s Android app store as an illegal monopoly, clearing the way for a federal judge to enforce a potentially disruptive shakeup that’s designed to give consumers more choices. The unanimous ruling issued Thursday by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals delivers a double-barreled legal blow for Google, which has been waylaid in three separate antitrust trials that resulted in different pillars of its internet empire being declared as domineering scofflaws monopolies since late 2023.

One Tech Tip: Can you tell if that song AI-generated? Here are some things to check

LONDON (AP) — A fictitious rock group with AI-generated music, lyrics, and album art sparked debate about how the new technology is blurring the line between real and synthetic in the music world. AI tools like Suno and Udio allow anyone to create songs with a few prompts. Some listeners don't mind AI music, while others want to know its origins. To identify AI-generated songs, listeners can check for social media presence, concert listings, and record label releases. Deezer flags AI-generated tracks, and third-party services can analyze songs for AI patterns. However, AI technology is advancing, making it harder to distinguish between human and AI-created music.

Apple overcomes Trump's trade war, slow start in AI to deliver surprisingly strong quarter

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple shook off a thicket of tariffs and a botched entry into artificial intelligence to accelerate its revenue growth during its springtime quarter, but the trendsetting company still faces a bumpy road ahead that could lead to higher iPhone prices. The April-June results released Thursday came against a backdrop of adversity that has been raising worries about the trajectory of a longtime tech kingpin. Despite the doubts, Apple remains a moneymaking machine. The company’s profit and revenue growth from a year ago both easily exceeded analyst projections, boosted by a 13% increase in iPhone sales. The performance boosted Apple’s slumping stock by about 3% in extended trading.

China summons Nvidia over 'backdoor safety risks' in H20 chips

WASHINGTON (AP) — China's cyberspace regulators have summoned Nvidia over security concerns about its H20 chips. They claim the chips can be tracked and turned off remotely. The meeting took place on Thursday, with regulators demanding explanations and materials from Nvidia. This comes two weeks after the U.S. lifted a block on the chips, allowing Nvidia to resume sales in China. The situation highlights ongoing tech tensions between the U.S. and China. Concerns over chip tracking and security have been raised by both Chinese regulators and U.S. lawmakers. The sale of advanced chips to China remains banned by the U.S.

Is AI causing tech worker layoffs? That's what CEOs suggest, but the reality is complicated

A new report from Indeed reveals that tech job postings in July were down 36% from early 2020 levels. While AI is a factor, it's not the sole reason for the decline. ChatGPT's debut in late 2022 coincided with the end of a pandemic-era hiring surge, complicating AI's role in the slowdown. Many tech CEOs have cited AI as a reason for layoffs, aiming to signal efficiency to Wall Street. Economists note that AI might replace some jobs but will also create new opportunities. Entry-level tech jobs have been hit hardest, especially in areas overlapping with AI's strengths.

What we know about a new health data tracking system being announced by White House

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's announcement of a new private health tracking system to help patients access their health records and monitor wellness is raising a host of privacy concerns. The system, a collaboration between the federal government and Big Tech, aims to allow seamless sharing of medical records among doctors, hospitals, and health apps. Patient advocates and ethicists worry about how health information could be used. Digital privacy advocates are skeptical about data security, fearing the monetization of sensitive health information.

Chinese researchers suggest lasers and sabotage to counter Musk’s Starlink satellites

ROME (AP) — Chinese scientists have been developing strategies to counter Elon Musk's Starlink satellites, which they see as a threat. Starlink's potential use in military confrontations and for spying has led government-linked researchers to publish dozens of papers in public journals that explore ways to neutralize the satellites. Concerns have grown since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, where Starlink provided battlefield advantages. Some U.S. allies also question the wisdom of handing strategic infrastructure to a foreign businessman whose allegiances aren't always clear. Starlink's dominance in space communications has sparked global efforts to find alternatives, but no other country or company is close to catching up.

Book Review: 'The Devil Reached Toward the Sky' weaves thorough account of Atomic Age's start

“The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making and Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb” tells the story of the atomic bomb and its consequences. The Associated Press' Andrew DeMillo writes that author Garrett M. Graff weaves together a wide variety of voices to tell both the fascinating and chilling side of the Atomic Age's beginning. DeMillo writes that the book relies on both well-known scientists as well as lesser-known or unknown figures in the atomic bomb's history. The book also recounts the chilling tale of the aftermath.

Meta stock surges after Q2 results blow past expectations despite heavy AI spending

In the midst of an artificial intelligence spending spree, Meta posted stronger-than-expected results for the second quarter, buoyed by growing ad revenue even as its expenses increased. Shares of Meta Platforms Inc. surged more than 9% after-hours as a result. The Menlo Park, California-based company earned $18.34 billion, or $7.14 per share, in the April-June period. That’s up 36% from $13.47 billion, or $5.16 per share, in the same period a year earlier. Revenue jumped 22% to $47.52 billion from $39.07 billion. Analysts expected Meta to earn $5.88 per share on revenue of $44.81 billion, according to a poll by FactSet.